Professor Nick West
Professor

Nick West

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54093

Background

Associate Professor West is a molecular microbiologist, expert in bacterial pathogenesis. He is Head of “Tuberculosis Research” in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland. Nick has a particular interest in drug development for TB. His research utilises modern molecular technologies to identify the genetic requirements for Mycobacterium tuberculosis to cause Tuberculosis (TB) with these genetic discoveries translated into novel antibiotic therapies. Research within his group falls largely into one of the following four themes: Essential Gene Identification in M. tuberculosis, Understanding TB Latency, Targeted TB Drug Development and Improving TB Vaccination.

Nick conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London. Returning to Australia in 2004, he spent several years at Sydney’s Centenary Institute as an Associate Faculty member before relocating to University of Queensland in 2012. In addition to drug development, Nick’s research portfolio includes programmes of vaccine and diagnostic development and testing.

Availability

Professor Nick West is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Medical microbiology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wollongong

Search Professor Nick West’s works on UQ eSpace

78 works between 1997 and 2024
All (78) Journal Article (76) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (1)

1 - 20 of 78 works

2024

Journal Article

Whole genome CRISPRi screening identifies druggable vulnerabilities in an isoniazid resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Wang, XinYue, Jowsey, William J., Cheung, Chen-Yi, Smart, Caitlan J., Klaus, Hannah R., Seeto, Noon EJ, Waller, Natalie JE, Chrisp, Michael T., Peterson, Amanda L., Ofori-Anyinam, Boatema, Strong, Emily, Nijagal, Brunda, West, Nicholas P., Yang, Jason H., Fineran, Peter C., Cook, Gregory M., Jackson, Simon A. and McNeil, Matthew B. (2024). Whole genome CRISPRi screening identifies druggable vulnerabilities in an isoniazid resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 9791, 9791. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54072-w

Whole genome CRISPRi screening identifies druggable vulnerabilities in an isoniazid resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2024

Journal Article

Phenotypic‐Based Discovery and Exploration of a Resorufin Scaffold with Activity against <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>

Tran, Eric, Cheung, Chen‐Yi, Li, Lucy, Carter, Glen P., Gable, Robert W., West, Nicholas P., Kaur, Amandeep, Gee, Yi Sing, Cook, Gregory M., Baell, Jonathan B. and Jörg, Manuela (2024). Phenotypic‐Based Discovery and Exploration of a Resorufin Scaffold with Activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ChemMedChem, e202400482. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.202400482

Phenotypic‐Based Discovery and Exploration of a Resorufin Scaffold with Activity against <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>

2024

Journal Article

A Chimeric ORF Fusion Phenotypic Reporter for Cryptococcus neoformans

Phillips-Rose, Louis S., Yu, Chendi K., West, Nicholas P. and Fraser, James A. (2024). A Chimeric ORF Fusion Phenotypic Reporter for Cryptococcus neoformans. Journal of Fungi, 10 (8) 567, 567. doi: 10.3390/jof10080567

A Chimeric ORF Fusion Phenotypic Reporter for Cryptococcus neoformans

2024

Journal Article

Marine sponge microbe provides insights into evolution and virulence of the tubercle bacillus

Pidot, Sacha J., Klatt, Stephan, Ates, Louis S., Frigui, Wafa, Sayes, Fadel, Majlessi, Laleh, Izumi, Hiroshi, Monk, Ian R., Porter, Jessica L., Bennett-Wood, Vicki, Seemann, Torsten, Otter, Ashley, Taiaroa, George, Cook, Gregory M., West, Nicholas, Tobias, Nicholas J., Fuerst, John A., Stutz, Michael D., Pellegrini, Marc, McConville, Malcolm, Brosch, Roland and Stinear, Timothy P. (2024). Marine sponge microbe provides insights into evolution and virulence of the tubercle bacillus. PLoS Pathogens, 20 (8) e1012440, e1012440. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012440

Marine sponge microbe provides insights into evolution and virulence of the tubercle bacillus

2024

Journal Article

Identification of Axinellamines A and B as Anti-Tubercular Agents

Strong, Emily J., Tan, Lendl, Hayes, Sasha, Whyte, Hayden, Davis, Rohan A. and West, Nicholas P. (2024). Identification of Axinellamines A and B as Anti-Tubercular Agents. Marine Drugs, 22 (7) 298, 298. doi: 10.3390/md22070298

Identification of Axinellamines A and B as Anti-Tubercular Agents

2024

Journal Article

Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Churchman, Luke R., Beckett, James R., Tan, Lendl, Woods, Kyra, Doherty, Daniel Z., Ghith, Amna, Bernhardt, Paul V., Bell, Stephen G., West, Nicholas P. and De Voss, James J. (2024). Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 239 106479, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106479

Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2024

Journal Article

TcrXY is an acid-sensing two-component transcriptional regulator of Mycobacterium tuberculosis required for persistent infection

Stupar, Miljan, Tan, Lendl, Kerr, Edward D., De Voss, Christopher J., Forde, Brian M., Schulz, Benjamin L. and West, Nicholas P. (2024). TcrXY is an acid-sensing two-component transcriptional regulator of Mycobacterium tuberculosis required for persistent infection. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 1615, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-45343-7

TcrXY is an acid-sensing two-component transcriptional regulator of Mycobacterium tuberculosis required for persistent infection

2024

Journal Article

Reassessing the putative molecular Target(s) of potent antitubercular 2-(Alkylsulfonyl)acetamides

Farr, Dylan C., Haselhorst, Thomas, Tan, Lendl, Furness, Juanelle, Strong, Emily, Grice, I. Darren, West, Nicholas P. and Houston, Todd A. (2024). Reassessing the putative molecular Target(s) of potent antitubercular 2-(Alkylsulfonyl)acetamides. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 264 115983, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115983

Reassessing the putative molecular Target(s) of potent antitubercular 2-(Alkylsulfonyl)acetamides

2024

Journal Article

Mycobacterium tuberculosis deficient in PdtaS cytosolic histidine kinase displays attenuated growth and affords protective efficacy against Aerosol M. tuberculosis infection in mice

Prendergast, Kelly A., Nagalingam, Gayathri, West, Nicholas P. and Triccas, James A. (2024). Mycobacterium tuberculosis deficient in PdtaS cytosolic histidine kinase displays attenuated growth and affords protective efficacy against Aerosol M. tuberculosis infection in mice. Vaccines, 12 (1) 50, 50. doi: 10.3390/vaccines12010050

Mycobacterium tuberculosis deficient in PdtaS cytosolic histidine kinase displays attenuated growth and affords protective efficacy against Aerosol M. tuberculosis infection in mice

2023

Journal Article

seco-1-Azacubane-2-carboxylic acid: derivative scope and comparative biological evaluation

Kong, Dehui, Fahrenhorst-Jones, Tyler, Kuo, Andy, Simmons, Jacinta L., Tan, Lendl, Burns, Jed M., Pierens, Gregory K., Li, Rui, West, Nicholas P., Boyle, Glen M., Smith, Maree T., Savage, G. Paul and Williams, Craig M. (2023). seco-1-Azacubane-2-carboxylic acid: derivative scope and comparative biological evaluation. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 89 (1), 798-803. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02333

seco-1-Azacubane-2-carboxylic acid: derivative scope and comparative biological evaluation

2023

Journal Article

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 6″-decanesulfonylacetamide-functionalised amphiphilic derivatives of amikacin and kanamycin

Farr, Dylan C., Tan, Lendl, Furness, Juanelle, Grice, I. Darren, West, Nicholas P. and Houston, Todd A. (2023). Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 6″-decanesulfonylacetamide-functionalised amphiphilic derivatives of amikacin and kanamycin. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 76 (11), 812-820. doi: 10.1071/ch23154

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 6″-decanesulfonylacetamide-functionalised amphiphilic derivatives of amikacin and kanamycin

2023

Journal Article

Integrative omics identifies conserved and pathogen-specific responses of sepsis-causing bacteria

Mu, Andre, Klare, William P., Baines, Sarah L., Ignatius Pang, C. N., Guérillot, Romain, Harbison-Price, Nichaela, Keller, Nadia, Wilksch, Jonathan, Nhu, Nguyen Thi Khanh, Phan, Minh-Duy, Keller, Bernhard, Nijagal, Brunda, Tull, Dedreia, Dayalan, Saravanan, Chua, Hwa Huat Charlie, Skoneczny, Dominik, Koval, Jason, Hachani, Abderrahman, Shah, Anup D., Neha, Nitika, Jadhav, Snehal, Partridge, Sally R., Cork, Amanda J., Peters, Kate, Bertolla, Olivia, Brouwer, Stephan, Hancock, Steven J., Álvarez-Fraga, Laura, De Oliveira, David M. P. ... Walker, Mark J. (2023). Integrative omics identifies conserved and pathogen-specific responses of sepsis-causing bacteria. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 1530, 1-21. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-37200-w

Integrative omics identifies conserved and pathogen-specific responses of sepsis-causing bacteria

2023

Journal Article

Discovery of anti‐tubercular analogues of bedaquiline with modified A‐, B‐ and C‐ring subunits

Barbaro, Lisa, Nagalingam, Gayathri, Triccas, James A., Tan, Lendl, West, Nicholas P., Priebbenow, Daniel and Baell, Jonathan B. (2023). Discovery of anti‐tubercular analogues of bedaquiline with modified A‐, B‐ and C‐ring subunits. ChemMedChem, 18 (1) e202200533, e202200533. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.202200533

Discovery of anti‐tubercular analogues of bedaquiline with modified A‐, B‐ and C‐ring subunits

2022

Journal Article

Nitroimidazopyrazinones with oral activity against tuberculosis and Chagas disease in mouse models of infection

Ang, Chee Wei, Lee, Brendon M., Jackson, Colin J., Wang, Yuehong, Franzblau, Scott G., Francisco, Amanda F., Kelly, John M., Bernhardt, Paul V., Tan, Lendl, West, Nicholas P., Sykes, Melissa L., Hinton, Alexandra O., Bolisetti, Raghu, Avery, Vicky M., Cooper, Matthew A. and Blaskovich, Mark A.T. (2022). Nitroimidazopyrazinones with oral activity against tuberculosis and Chagas disease in mouse models of infection. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 65 (19), 13125-13142. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00972

Nitroimidazopyrazinones with oral activity against tuberculosis and Chagas disease in mouse models of infection

2022

Journal Article

Two‐component sensor histidine kinases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: beacons for niche navigation

Stupar, Miljan, Furness, Juanelle, De Voss, Christopher J., Tan, Lendl and West, Nicholas P. (2022). Two‐component sensor histidine kinases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: beacons for niche navigation. Molecular Microbiology, 117 (5), 973-985. doi: 10.1111/mmi.14899

Two‐component sensor histidine kinases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: beacons for niche navigation

2021

Journal Article

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles improve oral delivery of antitubercular bicyclic nitroimidazoles

Ang, Chee Wei, Tan, Lendl, Qu, Zhi, West, Nicholas P., Cooper, Matthew A., Popat, Amirali and Blaskovich, Mark A.T. (2021). Mesoporous silica nanoparticles improve oral delivery of antitubercular bicyclic nitroimidazoles. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering, 8 (10) acsbiomaterials.1c00807, 4196-4206. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00807

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles improve oral delivery of antitubercular bicyclic nitroimidazoles

2021

Journal Article

Macrophage and neutrophil death programs differentially confer resistance to tuberculosis

Stutz, Michael Dominic, Allison, Cody Charles, Ojaimi, Samar, Preston, Simon Peter, Doerflinger, Marcel, Arandjelovic, Philip, Whitehead, Lachlan, Bader, Stefanie M., Batey, Daniel, Asselin-Labat, Marie-Liesse, Herold, Marco J., Strasser, Andreas, West, Nicholas P. and Pellegrini, Marc (2021). Macrophage and neutrophil death programs differentially confer resistance to tuberculosis. Immunity, 54 (8), 1758-1771.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.06.009

Macrophage and neutrophil death programs differentially confer resistance to tuberculosis

2021

Journal Article

Discovery of a pyrimidine-dione derivative with potent inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis&nbsp;ketol-acid reductoisomerase

Lin, Xin, Kurz, Julia, Patel, Khushboo, Wun, Shun Jie, Hussein, Waleed, Lonhienne, Thierry, West, Nicholas P., McGeary, Ross P., Schenk, Gerhard and Guddat, Luke William (2021). Discovery of a pyrimidine-dione derivative with potent inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis&nbsp;ketol-acid reductoisomerase. Chemistry: A European Journal, 27 (9) chem.202004665, 3130-3141. doi: 10.1002/chem.202004665

Discovery of a pyrimidine-dione derivative with potent inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis&nbsp;ketol-acid reductoisomerase

2021

Journal Article

Analogues of the herbicide, N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate, inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis ketol-acid reductoisomerase and their prodrugs are promising anti-TB drug leads

Kandale, Ajit, Patel, Khushboo, Hussein, Waleed M., Wun, Shun Jie, Zheng, Shan, Tan, Lendl, West, Nicholas P., Schenk, Gerhard, Guddat, Luke W. and McGeary, Ross P. (2021). Analogues of the herbicide, N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate, inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis ketol-acid reductoisomerase and their prodrugs are promising anti-TB drug leads. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 64 (3) acs.jmedchem.0c01919, 1670-1684. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01919

Analogues of the herbicide, N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate, inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis ketol-acid reductoisomerase and their prodrugs are promising anti-TB drug leads

2021

Journal Article

The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol

Blaskovich, Mark A. T., Kavanagh, Angela M., Elliott, Alysha G., Zhang, Bing, Ramu, Soumya, Amado, Maite, Lowe, Gabrielle J., Hinton, Alexandra O., Pham, Do Minh Thu, Zuegg, Johannes, Beare, Neil, Quach, Diana, Sharp, Marc D., Pogliano, Joe, Rogers, Ashleigh P., Lyras, Dena, Tan, Lendl, West, Nicholas P., Crawford, David W., Peterson, Marnie L., Callahan, Matthew and Thurn, Michael (2021). The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol. Communications Biology, 4 (1) 7, 1-18. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-01530-y

The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2027
    A Faster Cure for Tuberculosis: Revealing Adjunctive Antimicrobial Solutions
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Mycobacterial Cholesterol Degradation: A Unique Metabolic Weakness?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Blocking TB Latency: The Key to Reducing Therapy Duration
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Epifluorescent and live-cell imaging microscopes for the investigation of host-pathogen interactions and for molecular and cellular biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Ketol-acid reductoisomerase: An important antituberculosis drug target
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Killing infected cells as a mechanism to eradicate tuberculosis (NHMRC Project Grant led by The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
    Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Novel TB Drug Candidates via the Inhibition of Lipid I Biosynthesis (NHMRC Project Grant led by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Preventing the evolution of transmissible nitroimidazole resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (NHMRC Project Grant led by Australian National University)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Instrumentation for the analysis of cellular and metabolic phenotypes
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Uncovering Nutrient Acquisition and Metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Wellcome Trust grant administered by the Francis Crick Institute)
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    A new class of inhibitors for the treatment of tuberculosis (NHMRC Project Grant administered by The University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Discovery of new tuberculosis drug leads targeting cell wall biosynthesis (NHMRC Project Grant administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Latent Vaccine Development as Directed by in vivo Modeling
    Centenary Institute
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A confocal microscope for investigation of live bacterial and viral pathogens and for molecular cell biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Facility of Tuberculosis Research
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis essential for Latent Tuberculosis Infection
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Improving subunit vaccines against tuberculosis for pulmonary delivery (NHMRC Project Grant administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Potent antibiotics against drug-resistant Tuberculosis
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Towards new drugs to treat TB
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Design, development and analysis of new tuberculosis drugs
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (Biomedical Level 2): Determining the bacterial contributions to tuberculosis and identification of drug targets
    NHMRC Career Development Award
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Nick West is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A Multidisciplinary Approach to Identifying Novel Vaccine and Drug Targets of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Brian Forde

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Boosting BCG: The use of Potent Immunostimulatory Secreted Antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Emily Strong

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Advanced Genetic Toolkit for Cryptococcus neoformans: Iterating Upon Currently Used Techniques in the WHO¿s Top-Ranked Fungal Pathogen

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James Fraser

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Nick West directly for media enquiries about:

  • TB Drug Development
  • TB Vaccine Development
  • Tuberculosis (TB)

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